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To: annalex; kosta50; Kolokotronis
A more Catholic-sounding term is sanctification, sainthood, or holiness, a state of sinless union with God. It is one of the sad things about Protestantism that it cheapened the notion by the concept of salvation by faith alone, which had the practical effect of discouraging the striving for holiness.

I assume you're kidding, but if not, please see posts 1-2100+ for a description of how Protestants view salvation and sanctification. :) Of course, I am more than willing to return the hundreds of kindnesses done to me in answering any questions to the best of my ability.

2,179 posted on 01/31/2006 3:04:32 AM PST by Forest Keeper
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To: Forest Keeper; Kolokotronis
see posts 1-2100+ for a description of how Protestants view salvation and sanctification

I am familiar with the Protestant view(s) to a reasonable extent. I realize that in theory the Holy Ghost can sanctify one in his lifetime in the strict fashion of the Protestant timeline, -- declarative faith first, a downpouring of sanctifying grace later, good works undertaken joyfully by a believing heart. My comment was, and is, that Protestantism tends to deny that the walk of faith requires two legs: faith and works of love. I surely have met many righteous Protestants. I also know some Protestants driven to despair by recurrences of sin flying in the face of their supposed status of being saved by faith, the faith they know in their hearts to be genuine. I know others who develop insensitivity to sin, -- sin boldly, -- and fall off ont he other side, presuming their salvation. None of that is healthy.

Nor is it scriptural. Having spoken of salvation by faith in Galatians, St. Paul moves on to exhort his audience to works of charity. Elsewhere he urges to "work out one's salvation with fear and trembling". He explains that devotion to Christ is best experienced through celibacy. Christ spent most of his ministry on earth teaching about good works; He promises to judge us by them, -- not by faith. When the apostles asked Christ to increase their faith He responded with a parable of Unprofitable Servant, a clear exhortation to uncessant work.

I am pinging Kolokotronis who, I know, has questions of his own regarding this once-saved-always-saved theology.

2,200 posted on 01/31/2006 4:41:13 PM PST by annalex
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